Log feeder



Oct. l, 1929. L. o. ABARTLETT Los FEEDER Filed Feb. 27, 1928 r. lJlil.- l lll ..WHL u Patented ct. l, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEON O. IBARTLETT, OF BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO BROVN COMPANY, OF BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE LOG FEEDER Application filed February 27, 1928.

This invention relates to apparatus by which an operator can feed floating logs by power-driven means to a predetermined point such as a chain conveyor. It has been the custom to provide runways extending from log conveyors out on the surface of a logcollecting pond, a gang of men being employed to push the logs with long pikes to the chain conveyors and to turn the logs so as to presentthem sidewise to the conveyors, there being little or no current in the waters of the pond to assist in moving the logs to the conveyor'. rIhis method of feeding logs is slow and laborious, and hence uneconomical. By my invention, a single operator has means at his disposal to straighten the logs to the proper position to be picked up bythe conveyor and to feed the logs directly to the conveyor with a great saving of time and labor. To this end, I provide a carriage adapted to run on a track parallel to the channel leading to the conveyor. A suitable motor is provided to run the carriage back and forth under the control of the operator, and log-engaging means, also controlled by the operator, are supported by the carriage and may extend into the waters of the channel to engage logs floating therein.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is had to the disclosure thereof in the following description, and on the drawing, of which,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 represents a carriage adapted to run on a track 11 which may be supported above the surface of a pond or other body of water as by floats 12, or means extending to the bottom of the pond. The float which carries the track 11 may also be provided with a guide board 13 which cooperates with another guide board 14 spaced therefrom to form a suitable channel down which the logs 15 may be floated to suitable conveyors indicated at 16. The apparatus as illustrated is particularly adapted to the feeding of relatively short logs such as semi No. 257,277.

are used in pulp mills, but the invention is' also capable of use with longer logs by forming a wider channel between the guide boards 13 and 14. The width of the channel should be greater than the length of the logs handled so that the logs may be presented sidewise to the conveyors 16.

The carriage 10 may be driven by a suitable motor 17 connected with the wheels as by reduction gearing 18, current for the motor being supplied as by a cable 19, the slack of which is carried by a suitable drum 20 which is adapted to pay out and take in the slack dui-in the motion ofthe carriage 10 by means well known in the art. T he motor is preferably controlled by an operator who may ride on the carriage, although automatic reversing means may be provided if preferred. In order to engage the fioating logs, a plurality of suitable arms 21 are fixed on a rock shaft 22 which extends laterally outward from the carriage 10 over the channel. The arms 21 when in operative position as shown on the drawing, extend downwardly beneath the surface of the water to engageI logs floating therein. In order to swing the arms 21 clear of the water, the shaft 22 may be provided with a suitable crank arm 23 connected by a suitable link 24: to a' lever 25 which may be locked with the arms 21 in either' operative or inoperative position as by a quadrant 26. As logs float into the channel, an operator on the carriage 11 operates the carriage and the arms 21 to feed the log to the conveyor 16. This apparatus enables a single operator to perform more rapidly and efliciently work which has been previously done by several men with poles.

I-Iaving thus described certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from its spirit or scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim 1. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a track, means supporting said track above the surface of a body of water, a carriage on said track, means for operating said carriage in either direction, a shaft extending laterally from said carriage, a plurality of arms fixed to said shaft and normally eXtend ing` downwardly below the surface of the water, and means actualole to swing said arms clear of said water.

2. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a Hoat, a track on said float, a carriage on said track, power means on said carriage for driving it yselectively in `either direction, a shaft extending ylaterally from said carriage, a pair of arms normally eX- tending downwardly below the surfaceofthe water, means for holding said shaft iiXed with said arms in normal position, said holding means being actuable -to rotate said shaft to swing` said arms clear of the water.

3. ln combination, a log conveyor having an end thereof projecting below the surface of a body of water, guide ymeans spaced to form a channel for logs approaching' the conveyor, the width of .the channel being greater than the length of the logs therein, a track alongside said channel and a part of said conveyor, a car on said track, power means for operating said car, and means supported by said car and extending downwardly into said channel to engage logs therein, said last mentioned means being manually -movable to inoperative position.

In testimony whereof 'I have aflixed my signature.

LEON '0. BARTLETT. 

